Sakaja Halts Mukuru Kwa Njenga Demolitions, Calls Operation Illegal and Inhumane
News Updated: 20 January 2026 20:11 EAT
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja addressing residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga following mass house demolition in the area
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja ordered an immediate halt to demolitions in Mukuru kwa Njenga on Tuesday, calling the operation illegal, inhumane, and carried out without due process. Bulldozers had moved into the settlement early in the day, clearing homes and small businesses reportedly for road expansion projects.
Residents protested the demolitions, leading to clashes with police deployed to secure the sites. Teargas was fired to disperse crowds, and some demonstrators claimed rubber bullets were also used.
Community groups condemned the operation, saying it ignored existing court orders protecting residents from forced eviction. They accused authorities of failing to provide notice or consult the affected communities.
Many residents said the demolition caused panic, destroying homes and businesses that had been established for decades. Families scrambled to salvage belongings as machinery advanced without warning.
Governor Sakaja criticised the agencies involved for bypassing the county government and acting without proper approval. He stressed that development projects must follow legal procedures and involve affected communities.
He added that neither the county government nor the President had authorised the demolitions, highlighting the need for coordination and compliance with devolved mandates.
Sakaja emphasised that urban development should be conducted with dignity and transparency, ensuring that residents’ rights are respected and alternative arrangements are made.
The governor instructed all agencies to cease demolition operations immediately and compile a list of households affected, with plans to provide compensation where appropriate.
Residents expressed frustration at the lack of prior notice and relocation arrangements, warning that such actions disrupt livelihoods and heighten tension in densely populated settlements.
Rights groups and community leaders called for reforms, urging authorities to follow the law and engage residents before any infrastructure work begins.
Tensions remain high in Mukuru kwa Njenga as county officials, residents, and agencies continue discussions to ensure future development proceeds legally, safely, and humanely.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD